A good friend was kind enough today to let me try his 2013 TI amas on my 2012 AI hull before I went out and bought them. The front AI aka does not reach far enough into the TI ama to be secure but the back one does, so I borrowed his TI front aka for the test drive. It fit fine into the AI hull. After reviewing the batboat, I began to play with options to reinforce the strength of the front akas and prevent them from folding back. All it took was a firm tight nylon line from the padeyes located near the handle on each ama nun forward to the padeye at the bow. This eliminated any play and it felt very solid. So the only modification was these two pieces of rope and four caribiners. No holes drilled or power tools needed. I would have pictures but I soaked my phone in saltwater and it is DOA at the this point.

The Test Drive: I sailed in 10-15 mph winds and 2 ft waves in the Gulf of Mexico. Not the worst of conditions but still a test. The added stability was everything I had hoped for. I turned that boat sideways to every gust and wave I could fine and never once felt the boat try to lift up. I was also able to put my 220 # frame out on the tramps without the tramps feeling like they might give way. I could easily sit on the tramps now. Just by putting a Type 4 cushion out on the tramp, I could keep from siting in any water at all. I won't be able to judge if I lost any speed or any ability to point until I have a chance to sail with another AI. But i don't think I did. The boat handled and steered normally. I am sold on buying the TI amas and front akas after today's experience.

_________________Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib2012 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.” – Charles G. Davis

Yea I trying maximize for safety offshore fishing in the Gulf and at the oil rigs. The ama stabilizing ropes did such a good job that I was able to sail upwind as well as surf waves with the aka brace disconnected without movement of the TI amas and akas. I can thank a poster on the Haka thread for that idea. Call me paranoid, but I could use the extra stability offshore in those 3 foot waves and taller swells.

_________________Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib2012 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.” – Charles G. Davis

If you want to practice for those little waves come visit us in Hawaii and we'll go out sailing together. 5-7 foot today (not unusual), but I am enjoying them from my deck, not my AI's and TI today. The Batboat mod does seem to beef up the AI. Try adding Haka and you'll never go back. Also, a Sprayskirt will help hold the front similar to your lines in lighter conditions. Enjoy!

Here are the pictures and a video showing the Tandem amas on a 2012 AI. I use the Tandem amas when sailing offshore or in rough conditions and they have been a great way to stabilize the boat. You will need two Tandem front akas and both AI back akas since the front AI akas don't reach the bottom of the TI amas. You should also add safety lines to the akas for extra support.

_________________Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib2012 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.” – Charles G. Davis

I had to drill into my head the new capsize routeen since the lines will need to be released as part of the process of righting the boat. I'm banking on that never happening. After a month or more of weekly sailing offshore, I can say that I've never felt an ama lift up let alone give me a scare. I'm feeling pretty comfortable out there.

_________________Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib2012 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.” – Charles G. Davis

Well, here in mid South Costa Rica, wind is not an issue and I fail to see what the TI amas would do to improve the performance of an AI, other than to be a negative impact in more weight/resistance under pedal propulsion. Elvis